2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a bold design with its massive corporate grille, fitting well with its stout and chunky styling. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the Q3's cabin echoed a modern aesthetic, with a dash design that highlighted the center touchscreen. While the interior was once a standout, similar designs from Volkswagen made the Q3 feel less unique, though it remained modern and refined.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks featured significant exterior updates, aligning with the new design language of other Nissan models. Its snubbed nose and double V-motion grille gave it a distinctive look. The Kicks SR trim boasted LED headlights and fog lights, enhancing its sporty appearance. The interior maintained high-quality materials, drawing inspiration from the Nissan Sentra, and offered a comfortable and stylish cabin with new seat designs and a full center console armrest.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Q3's handling was nimble, with a comfortable ride, and it featured Audi’s Drive Select with multiple driving modes.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio and maintained stability on icy roads. It featured electric power-assisted steering and a front independent strut suspension, providing nimble handling. The Kicks also boasted impressive fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

The Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space was subpar, the passenger space was generous, with comfortable front seats and ample headroom and legroom in the rear.

The Nissan Kicks provided easy-to-reach controls and good small-item storage. It featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Kicks excelled in front seat legroom, though hip room was limited. The available tonneau cover offered hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with a Bang & Olufsen audio system and Audi Virtual Cockpit.

The Nissan Kicks offered a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a Bose Personal Plus sound system with headrest speakers. A surround-view monitor and WiFi hotspot were also available, enhancing the tech offerings.

The 2021 Audi Q3 included Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, with features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. It had 10 airbags and additional safety features on higher trims. The 2020 model received good safety ratings, and the 2021 updates likely improved its scores.